KATHMANDU: Mountaineer Pasang Lhamu Sherpa Akita was named the 2016 National Geographic People’s Choice Adventurer of the Year. Born in Lukla of Solukhumbu district, Sherpa Akita was selected from a group of adventure innovators whose extraordinary achievements in exploration, conservation, humanitarianism and adventure sports distinguished them in the past year. “I am very humbled and happy to receive this award, although I believe there are many other adventurers who also deserve it,” Sherpa Akita said in an interview with National Geographic. “I would like to thank my supporters back home in Nepal and around the world, and I am very appreciative to get all of their support. I would also like to thank National Geographic for recognising our efforts helping Nepal. Personally, I hope receiving this award will encourage more women all over the world, especially in Asia, to enter the mountaineering world.”

The 30-year-old mountaineer has ascended Mount Everest, K2-considered the most dangerous mountain in the world-in Pakistan along with several other peaks in Nepal including Ama Dablam and Lobuche. Sherpa Akita, who is considered as one of the best women climbers in Nepal, had played an important role in relief efforts in Nepal after the April 25 devastating earthquake. READ ALSO More than a mountaineer